Our relationship manager, Maurice White, recently caught up with Nithin R, a seasoned Cyber Security Specialist Contractor at Ergo. Nithin generously shared his wealth of experience within networking and offered valuable advice for those aspiring to break into the cybersecurity contracting industry.
My Journey: From Network Engineer to Cyber Security Contractor
As a security specialist who has transitioned into cybersecurity contracting, my journey began with a passion for technology and a keen interest in learning how systems can be shielded from various threats. Here's my story of how I got started in the cybersecurity contracting industry, along with some advice for those who want to get into it:
Education and Qualifications for Cyber Security Contracting
To begin with, I earned a degree in computer science and started my career in IT as a network engineer. Being a Network professional, I had faced many cyber threats during my career which motivated me to concentrate on earning a cybersecurity master's degree and ultimately succeeded in acquiring the same.
Obtaining certifications like CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Security Testing, and others is crucial in addition to formal education. These certifications improved my reputation with employers by demonstrating my expertise in various cybersecurity domains.
Gaining Real World Experience
To obtain real-world experience, I looked for entry-level jobs in IT after completing my degree. Having over 8 years of experience in the field of networking allowed me to hone my practical skills. Through my networking experience I became acquainted with standard tools and methods used in the IT field such as Wireshark and Nmap.
Specialisation in Cyber Security
As my career developed, I determined which facets of cybersecurity most interested me and concentrated on becoming an expert in those fields. Specializing in a particular area, such as network security, penetration testing, incident response, application security, data security, compliance, and audit can help you stand out from the competition and attract clients looking for your particular set of skills.
Networking: Your Professional lifeline
In the field of cyber security, developing a strong professional network is essential. Participating in online forums and discussion groups, attending industry conferences, etc. Job opportunities, mentorship, and insightful knowledge of the industry can all be obtained through networking.
Ergo, A strategic move
Being one of the top IT-managed service companies in Ireland, I decided to look for an opportunity at Ergo. After applying for the Security specialist role, I received a call from HR explaining the company, roles, requirements, and interview process which helped me during the entire selection process. After a few rounds of the client interview process, I got a Job confirmation from Ergo HR.
The Ergo team made my onboarding experience simple and seamless. Their quarterly assessment reviews and setting of goals and targets allowed me to increase my knowledge and skills. I have been with Ergo for almost 2 years now and I feel highly valued by my manager and the Client site I have been placed.
Embrace Continuous Learning
New threats and technologies are always emerging in the field of cyber security. It's critical to use continuous learning to stay current on the newest methods, instruments, and best practices. To remain current, take advantage of webinars, workshops, training sessions, and industry publications by reading them.
All things considered, getting started in cyber security contracting involves a mix of training, experience, networking, and continuous learning.
Through adherence to these guidelines and unwavering commitment to career advancement, you can forge a prosperous career in cybersecurity and companies like Ergo can provide the perfect environment where you can work on different high profile best in class projects.
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